Kinnegad should be granted a Secondary School

Labour Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, Willie Penrose, T.D. has called on the Minster or Education grant funding for a second level school to serve Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath. 

Deputy Penrose said: 

” Kinnegad is the third largest town in Westmeath and has a significant hinterland. It has one of the largest rural-based primary schools in the county, and yet the area is not served by a local secondary school. 

“I raised this issue with the Minister and have asked him to consider the significant increase in population which prevails in Kinnegad. The Minister’s response mentioned that there are 42 new secondary schools due over the next four years from 2019 to 2022, of which none were for Kinnegad.

“Given the rate of population increase in the area, I believe four years is too long to wait for a review of the issue, and I hope the Minister recognises the need for a local post-primary school in the New Year.”